Scheduled my kitty for surgery today...

[jenscats5]

Waaah!! My 10 year old cat, the gray fluffy one, has hyperthyroidism, which means there is a tumor on her thyroid gland, causing all kinds of symptoms. She's been on meds for 2 months which has gotten her thyroid in check. However, she would need to take pills the rest of her life. $55 per scrip!

The other option is to inject her with radioactive iodine which will kill the tumor. The procedure will cost $1150 but will take care of it, with no side effects, allegedly. So I don't have to shove a pill down her throat 2x a day for the rest of her life, I scheduled her for the procedure for Oct 25th. She'll go in Monday & come out Thursday.

I'm petrified of her having this done. She's like my kid. Yes, she's a cat, but she's my baby & I think of her as a child with fur. Now I'm all anxious & stressed, which makes me short of breath, & will freak out for the next 2 weeks.

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Poor Jen! I know how you feel. When my kitty was 6mos old, I got her spayed, and I SOBBED until she was back. I can't even tell you how devistated I was when I had to SHIP her cross country! I had to put her on a plane - WITHOUT ME - and fly her from MD to NV. AND, she couldn't be medicated. When she starts acting sick (like a kitty-cold) I feel so sad until she is better. I love my kitty.

I'll send you good kitty thoughts.

 

[jenscats5]

Thank you DG! I know I'm gonna cry! Hubby said he thinks he'll take off work that day, cuz he thinks he needs to....

They suggested today that I bring in with her something to remind her of home, like a shirt.....SOB!!

 

[Raina]

Awww! I feel bad for you and your kitty. I know how upsetting it is when they're sick and how pathetic they are after surgery. When our ferret Hali had an adrenal tumor she had surgery to remove one of her adrenal glands ($700). She had a cut from her sternum to her pelvis. Poor little girl. We hand fed and watered her around the clock for days. My fiance took 2 days off of work.

Some people might not get it or might think it's insane to spend a lot to help a sick pet but they're like babies. I hope all goes well for you both. She'll be a lot happier after it's over and doesn't have to gag down the pills.

 

[Pamela]

Wow Sorry to here this Jen.
I know how you feel, about thinking their like kids.
We get so attached to these animals that we start treating them like kids.
They become one of the family.

 

[Gymgurl]

Oh that stinks! They are like your kids I don't care what anyone thinks! I worry about my pets like I do my kids when they are sick! Hang in there Jen she'll be okay!

 

[jenscats5]

Thank you everyone!!

I'm trying to not be upset about it as the surgery center says it's not like "real" surgery cuz it's an injection. But it's still radiation!! I guess she'll glow in the dark for a while after....but at least this should take care of it & I don't have to shove pills in her...

 

[Kroliczek]

Best wishes for your little one's healthy recovery. Pets are a part of the family. They don't say much...but they feel just as much. That's why we have to take special care of them.

Good luck ...my thoughts are with you!

 

[jenscats5]

Best wishes for your little one's healthy recovery. Pets are a part of the family. They don't say much...but they feel just as much. That's why we have to take special care of them.

Good luck ...my thoughts are with you!

Yep I feel that way too....I speak for her as she cannot speak for herself.....I just hope I give her the voice of her intention....

Thank you....sweet comments

 

[velvett]

poor kitty.

 

[wend]

Sorry to sound cold, Jens, but you do realize that eventually our pets are going to go. They have much shorter life spans than human babies (if things go as they should). Your ten-year-old cat is an old lady. You have a geriatric kitty.

My best friend's old dog (she's been with her since before her husband) has untreatable cancer. Of course she's upset, but she has to be realistic. Even if it were treatable, they couldn't afford it. So she watches her for signs of pain; she also has to be careful, because, with her deteriorating eyesight, she's going to become a threat to her actual baby. Eventually she'll have to decide when to euthanize her.

It sounds to me like your cat will be fine. Good luck.

 

[jenscats5]

Sorry to sound cold, Jens, but you do realize that eventually our pets are going to go. They have much shorter life spans than human babies (if things go as they should). Your ten-year-old cat is an old lady. You have a geriatric kitty.

My best friend's old dog (she's been with her since before her husband) has untreatable cancer. Of course she's upset, but she has to be realistic. Even if it were treatable, they couldn't afford it. So she watches her for signs of pain; she also has to be careful, because, with her deteriorating eyesight, she's going to become a threat to her actual baby. Eventually she'll have to decide when to euthanize her.

It sounds to me like your cat will be fine. Good luck.

Well, while "old age" is after 10 yo, a lot of house cats live till 18 years +, the average age is for a house cat is 16 years +

But, yes, my kitty will eventually die.....however, this is a common ailment for a kitty her age....I'm pretty sure my very old kitty (~20 yo) has it, but I'm not treating her due to her advanced age....

To me, my 10 yo is worth it as she is young enuf to handle it, young enuf to live another 10 years after treatment, and I don't consider my pets to be disposable, even due to the expense...

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Jen, you are making the right decision. Whatever makes you feel comfortable about things, then do it. Pets may have a shorter life span, but that does not make them any less important.

My cat has been with me through many things, and has been around longer than some so-called "loved ones" who actually were not very nice people. She is about 9 1/2, but still acts like a kitten. Indoor cats often do live until 16-20yrs, easily.

I am under NO delusion that she will be here forever. Just like I am under no delusion that my husband-to-be, or my father, will be around forever. But that does not mean that I will stop caring for them or loving them. Or doing whatever *I* deem is necessary.

Still sending you good thoughts Jen, I know it is hard.

 

[jenscats5]

Jen, you are making the right decision. Whatever makes you feel comfortable about things, then do it. Pets may have a shorter life span, but that does not make them any less important.

My cat has been with me through many things, and has been around longer than some so-called "loved ones" who actually were not very nice people. She is about 9 1/2, but still acts like a kitten. Indoor cats often do live until 16-20yrs, easily.

I am under NO delusion that she will be here forever. Just like I am under no delusion that my husband-to-be, or my father, will be around forever. But that does not mean that I will stop caring for them or loving them. Or doing whatever *I* deem is necessary.

Still sending you good thoughts Jen, I know it is hard.

Hey, girlie, thanks!! Got the info in the mail today from the place doing the procedure and the info has reinforced my decision that this is the best one. The meds can lead to long term liver & kidney damage, along with other stuff. Plus, she'll be assigned her own "nurse" who will report back to me daily.

It's funny, it's being called a "one shot deal," cuz of the injection. I'm feeling much better about it now that I have more info.

Thank you to everyone again for your well wishes!

 

[wend]

Well, while "old age" is after 10 yo, a lot of house cats live till 18 years +, the average age is for a house cat is 16 years +

But, yes, my kitty will eventually die.....however, this is a common ailment for a kitty her age....I'm pretty sure my very old kitty (~20 yo) has it, but I'm not treating her due to her advanced age....

To me, my 10 yo is worth it as she is young enuf to handle it, young enuf to live another 10 years after treatment, and I don't consider my pets to be disposable, even due to the expense...

Lordy, I don't consider my pets disposable (and my friend certainly doesn't, either, and euthanasia will be one of the toughest things she'll have to do, but also compassionate, considering the circumstances). But I do keep in mind that their life spans are just naturally much shorter than ours. I love them all (we have four...2 cats, 2 dogs) immensely, but I don't want to forget that I'll have to lose them, and keeping that in mind, we won't be going through extraordinary expense to keep them alive if they get cancer, for example. But your kitty doesn't have cancer. This one shot deal sounds not only like it will be worth the money, but that it won't put her through hell, either. I think you've made the right decision. I'm glad you're feeling better about it now, too. Again, good luck, and keep us posted.

 

[Puddles]

Wishing you and the kitty all the best! Sounds like a minimally invasive procedure so that's a pluss.

My cat is now 19 and for the past year has been showing signs of his age. As long as he's healthy and not in pain I'm happy but I know the end is near and it's gonna be hard on the whole family, especially my 12 y.o. daughter.

One good thing about your cat needing surgery...when I first read the title of this thread I thought it was your vagina that was needing surgery! LOL Glad your ok!!!

 

[jenscats5]

One good thing about your cat needing surgery...when I first read the title of this thread I thought it was your vagina that was needing surgery! LOL Glad your ok!!!

LOL!! I was wondering how many people would think that after I posted.....